COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTIONBitter and bold. This single hop american style IPA features 100
percent Columbus Hops for an intense citrus, floral and spicy aroma
and flavor. Five different malts form the rich backbone that balances
the hopsí 77 IBUs. The resinous mouthfeel is followed by a clean,
dry hopped finish that refreshes and satisfies.
Additional Information:
Delve into this beer and you are going to see the complexities that
this highly hopped beer has to offer. Grapefruit, orange, lemon, and
flower essences are just a few flavors/aromas you are sure to find.

They say you can often gauge a brewery by their India Pale Ale, so when Hangar 24 sent me a bunch of their beers to review I of course opted to start with the Columbus IPA. Itís an interesting beer that uses only the Columbus variety of hop in the brew (in addition to five unlisted malts). Itís got the strong bitterness you except from a West Coast IPA, but the balance of something more eastern. I like it.

I poured a 22oz bomber into a tulip glass.

Appearance: Dark hazy amber/orange hue. No carbonation visible, but it does form a large, eggshell colored, frothy head which retains and laces extremely well.

Taste: Hangar 24 Columbus IPA is definitely a brew that walks a fine line between single and double IPA. The hops are quite prominent at 77 IBUs and the body is quite strong as well to give it that more energy and attitude than your average IPA. The choice of using only Columbus hops is interesting, if not a bit daring since the hop imparts more raw bitterness than it does flavor. Though there is noticeable earthy/herbal hop flavors here: pine, tree bark, and a hint of garlic or onion (but in that good way).

Letís not forget the malt side, though. Thereís a sweetness to be found here in the form of some honey and caramel lollipop flavors. They stay in the background, mostly, but give the beer a solid backbone to make it well-rounded and versatile. Drink this on its own or with a strong meal and itíll work well either way.

Drinkability: Though thereís a lot of bitterness and overall body to Hangar 24 Columbus IPA, itís not a challenge to drink (well maybe to newbies). The mouthfeel is on the thicker side, but itís quite soft with a smooth texture. The hops do linger, but itís not nearly as astringent as many other beers of this caliber. At 7% ABV itís surprisingly light on its toes and wonít wear you down.

Really nice, IBUís were well chosen and doesnt quite drink like a 77 IBU ipa, but is hidden in the maltiness and overall well crafted. Really nicely chosen grain bill,, its a hint of cacao, bready light malt, and clean easy to drink, but tasty and satisfies.

Pour out of 22 oz bottle, thanks to Aaron for the pour! Clear red-orange with white head, aroma brought notes of biscuit, bread, some veggies, cooked corn/dms notes, hints of a cardboard as well, slight pine and citrus notes, as well as a touch of caramel. Taste is a mix of caramel, biscuit, bread, slight spice, the dms comes through again, touch of pine, finishing fairly bitter, dry. Too bad.

Bomber thanks to thome50, pours a cleat copper with a large white head. Aroma of caramel and toffee malts, slight citrus, and musky hop spice. Sweet malts build in the flavor with a mellow hop spice bitterness on the finish. Nice!

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